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IDF refuses to recognise reservist who died by suicide as fallen soldier
Roi Wasserstein, 24, served more than 300 days in uniform but will not receive military burial after taking his own life off duty
The Israeli army is facing mounting criticism after refusing to recognise a 24-year-old reservist who died by suicide as a fallen soldier – despite serving over 300 days in uniform and suffering severe trauma from his role in Gaza.
Roi Wasserstein, a medic in the IDF’s 401st Armoured Brigade, ended his life on Wednesday after what his family described as months of mental anguish linked to horrors he witnessed during medical evacuations.
His last stint of reserve duty ended in May, but his family says he never recovered from what he saw.
Army Radio reporter Doron Kadosh, who broke the story with the family’s permission, said the IDF has refused to classify his death as a military casualty, stating: “A civilian who is not in active reserve service at the time of suicide is not recognised as an IDF casualty, and there is no intention to change this.”
Wasserstein, from Netanya, will receive a civilian burial.
Speaking to Kadosh, his mother said: “He gave his all, and after every round of reserve duty, he didn’t return the same.
“I haven’t received a single call from the army until now. Instead of processing the grief, I have to struggle and fight for recognition. Isn’t it obvious that a boy who served in the reserves as a medic should be recognised? It’s unthinkable.”
His brother added: “This is the army’s failure. They knew how to call him up for reserves, but not to call us after the incident. He saw horrors. He saved fighters’ lives. It weighed on him.
“He must be entitled to a military burial. My parents need to be recognised as bereaved parents. We will go all the way. He will be recognised as a fallen IDF soldier.”
The family said his company commander had even tried to reduce the intensity of Wasserstein’s duties before his death, after recognising signs of mental strain.
Two Israeli MKs – Eti Atiah (Likud) and Merav Ben Ari (Yesh Atid) – have written to Defence Minister Yoav Gallant demanding he intervene and reclassify Wasserstein’s case. The defence ministry has yet to respond.
Wasserstein’s death has reignited debate in Israel over the treatment of reservists suffering from trauma and the army’s criteria for recognising psychological injuries incurred after service.
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